Protein Scientist

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali® partnered with Novartis, Balversa® partnered with Janssen and Truqap™ partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.

The Role

We are looking for a talented and self-motivated scientist with strong expertise in protein science to join the Astex’s Molecular Sciences Group. The Molecular Sciences Group is responsible for supporting all activities from ‘gene to structure’ and for prosecuting Pyramid^TM, Astex’s fragment-based screening platform. The role is laboratory based and the successful candidate will be engaged in enabling targets for Pyramid^TM and supporting projects during all phases of the drug discovery process. The Molecular Sciences Group has well equipped protein science laboratories including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell culture and harvesting facilities, a large fleet of dedicated chromatographic purification systems (AKTAs) and high throughput expression testing and protein purification capabilities. 

You will be expected to work on diverse structural systems, but experience of working with integral membrane proteins or multi-protein complexes would be highly desirable. You will be expected to operate in highly inter-disciplinary project teams and work on diverse protein target classes including integral membrane proteins, multi-protein complexes, protein-DNA complexes and small, soluble, proteins. Your primary remit will be to enable robust expression and purification protocols for challenging protein targets, with the aim of supplying high purity, homogeneous recombinant protein samples for structural biology (cryo-EM & X-ray), biophysics and bioassay studies. Beyond engagement with Astex’s project teams, you will also be expected to interact with external collaborators and contract research organisations.

Please note, that this role is a two-year fixed-term contract.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Ph.D. with post-doctoral, or equivalent experience
• Experience in recombinant protein expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems
• Proficiency in chromatographic techniques (e.g. affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion)
• Expertise in characterisation of proteins to ensure suitability for structural studies and other biophysical methods
• A proven track record of generating integral membrane proteins or multi-protein complexes for structural and biophysical studies
• Excellent communication and team working skills

Desirable, but non-essential skills & experience:

• Experience working with alternative membrane mimetics, such as nanodiscs, amphipols and liposomes
• Proven practical expertise with at least one of the following techniques: cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR, SPR, ITC, MS or TSA/DSF
• Experience with AI and ML construct design and high-throughput protein expression
• Familiarity with FBDD and SBDD

Why Astex

We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment.

At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation and behaviours.

Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.

More information

For information on Astex Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.astx.com

For information on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.otsuka.co.jp

How to Apply

All applicants should apply by email to recruitment.uk@astx.com, attaching their CV and covering letter as PDF documents. The subject line of the email should clearly state the reference (PRSC/0726)

Please note that Astex holds a UK sponsor license; if you require sponsorship, please state this in your application email.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 16^th August 2026.